Art galleries and museums: Pastel Society of the Gold Coast exhibit in Ojai

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO |
Judy Koenig’s “Luscious” is one of the pieces featured in the “I Love Pastels” exhibit.

Pastel love won't fade away

Pastel Society of the Gold Coast exhibit in Ojai

Pastel artists have a long-standing love affair with their medium. Members of the Pastel Society of the Gold Coast will express their passion for pastels at the "I Love Pastels" exhibition through Feb. 26 at the Ojai Art Center. A reception will be held Sunday from 1-3 p.m. Meet the artists, enjoy live piano music, sip Champagne and mimosas, indulge in chocolate, view the artworks and watch pastel demonstrations.

"Pastels are almost pure pigment — pure color with some binding in it," said Pamela Salem, a PSGC member. "Pastels are never going to fade. The colors will never fade."

The Pastel Society of the Gold Coast has a membership of 30 Southern California artists who use the dynamic and diverse application of soft pastels to express their creativity. "Luscious," a pastel painting by Judy Koenig, is displayed here as an example. The Pastel Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about the fine art medium of pastels.

The Ojai Art Center is the oldest, multipurpose nonprofit art center in Southern California, with the mission to support and advance interest in the arts. A portion of all art sales will be donated to the center.

The exhibit is open noon 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays at 113 S. Montgomery St., Ojai. For more information about PSGC, call Lori Corradi at 701-0566 or Pamela Salem at 760-7291. For gallery information, call the art center at 646-0117 or visit http://www.ojaiartcenter.org.

Ventura County Government Center: In the Atrium Lobby, through March 4: A Wrinkle in Time, works celebrating Ventura County seniors, and Facebook Profile Pictures, a juried exhibition. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura. 658-2213; venturacountyartscouncil.org.

California Oil Museum: Through March 30: Of War and Life: A Decade of Stories, more than 150 profiles of veterans who served through World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq by Jannette Jauregui, exhibited in conjunction with Jauregui's book of the same name. Through Feb. 23: Prehistoric California, fossils and history from California's ancient days. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, 1001 E. Main St., Santa Paula. $4 general admission, $3 seniors, $1 students. 933-0076; oilmuseum.net.

Dudley House Museum: This fully-furnished 1892 Victorian farmhouse reflects the life of the Dudleys and other pioneering farming families. Guided tours given 1-4 p.m. every first Sunday. Loma Vista Road and Ashwood Avenue, Ventura. Free. 642-3345; dudleyhouse.org.

Museum of Military History: Ongoing: Military posters and memorabilia from World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. Noon-3 p.m. Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Simi Town Center, 1555 Simi Town Center Way, Suite 220, Simi Valley. Free. 310-768-2847.

Museum of Ventura County: Through Feb. 18: Love at First Tap — 22 Years & Still Rocking It!, stone sculptures by Arlene Tepper. Through March 15: Festivo!, 10 works by local artists, on view and available for bids. The pieces were done to celebrate the Ventura Music Festival's 20th season. Final bidding will take place at the festival's Evening of Note gala 5:30-8:30 p.m. March 15. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, 100 E. Main St., Ventura. $4 adults, $3 seniors, $1 children 6-17, free for members and children under 6. 653-0323; venturamuseum.org.